Answers Part Ta-sot

Question One: Have you done anything that's a norm here in America but is considered rude or odd in Korea?
I don't think I've done anything too bad. You are supposed to bow to your bosses and even other teachers at school. There's quite a few times I either forget or just don't. Its so different than what I was taught growing up: eye contact, firm hand shake, smiling, all that jazz.

Plus, if I were to bow to every teacher that walked by, I would start doing it automatically as a reflex when students do it to me...and the students would probably laugh at me for bowing at them.

Also, at the movie theater, doctor's office, post office, bank, etc... you walk up to a small machine and take a numbered piece of paper to get your place in line. I guess since there's so many people, it helps keep everything in order. However, its nice to play the foreigner card every now and again. Laurie and I didn't realize we had to have a number to buy a movie ticket, but the cashier helped us anyway. I'd like to take this moment to say sorry to all the Koreans in line behind us!


Question Two: Here is the MOST important question. Are there any cute guys?!
FYI- I copied and pasted this question. My friends just have their priorities in the right order.

The answer is: yes, ne, oui, si, ja.
Here's the thing though. Before I came to Korea, I thought most Asians weren't very attractive. But when you see them in person, its completely different than seeing a picture. So keep that in mind if you ever see me freak out when I see a picture of Rain. Also, Koreans are the tallest out of all the Asian countries. So that's always nice as far as eye candy goes.

Kang Dong Won & Rain

Since I'm bored right now, here's a better way to show you some hot Korean guys. Alright, you might not think they're cute, but its the music and dancing that's so hot! Plus, people live and breathe Kpop over here. It seeps into my system even when I'm sleeping, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Sorry you can't see the entire screen! I don't know how to fix it.

Answers Part Yeo-sot

Question One: Is it hard to shop over there? I hear that sizes run very small.
Small sizes would be an improvement. The only Americans that could shop at your typical Korean store are the ones that work on runways. One of my co teachers is taller than me and about the same size, so she buys most of her clothes online. But, the website is all in Korean.

However, there is a Forever 21 and an H&M in Seoul. So all is not lost! And they have American sizes...I bought clothes from both stores last month, and can't wait to go back.

Shoes though? If you are bigger than a size 8, forget it. Luckily, my parents are great with the care packages, so I'm not walking to school barefoot in the cold.

Question Two: Do they like having American stores?
It seems so. On every corner you can find either a 7/11, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's, Burger King, or Starbucks. There's also a lot of Pizza Huts and Papa John's. The odd thing is, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts don't open until around 7 or 8. And NOBODY goes to Dunkin Donuts in the morning. But when I walk by one at night, its a mad house.

The only American store I go to here is Starbucks. The music is the same, the atmosphere is the same, and its just as fabulous!

As far as the American/European clothing stores go (Forever 21 and H&M), its mainly foreigners shopping there. Which makes sense, since most of the clothes would probably swallow these beautiful petite Korean girls that command the streets.

Why is there a Costco? Do they have American things or Korean things?
If you read my Thanksgiving post, we had a pumpkin pie from Costco hence the question. While I've never actually been to one here, I've heard its amazing. There's one in Seoul and one in Daegu. A lot of foreigners go to get the things they miss from back home, and apparently they have an awesome food court. I'm sure they have Korean things as well.

You still have to get a membership though, so I probably won't be going anytime soon. Plus, it would not be fun lugging all the stuff back home on a crowded subway or bus.

Answers Part Net

Question: What the's best/worst thing you've eaten since you've been there? Thailand AND Korea.

I'll start with Thailand. The best thing I ate was pad thai from a street vendor in Chiang Mai. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of it, but it was amazing! Most places have already cooked noodles that they just heat up again. But this guy would make everything right there in front of you. He would start with some grease (healthy I know), and add the fresh noodles. After that, he would add some tofu, a little sugar and spices, and a few sprigs of a green vegetable. Then he would crack and egg on the burner and put all the noodly goodness on top, while wrapping it up in the egg. Sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top, and BAM! you've got a delicious meal.

Did I mention this cost $1?

The worst thing I ate in Thailand was a bug.

Which actually wasn't THAT bad. But I definitely didn't want seconds.

Since being in Korea, I've enjoyed a lot of the food, and hated a lot of the food.
So I can't pick just one favorite!
Fave #1- tofu soup at lunch. It's simple, but the broth is so good.


Fave #2- bibimbap. Lots of vegetables, red pepper paste, and rice.
Easy peasy...and pleasy!


Fave #3- kimbap. Bibimbap "to go"...essentially its the same ingredients as bibimbap, but its all wrapped in seaweed.
I can get a huge roll at a place in my apartment building for $1.


Fave #4- kimchi soup. My mouth just watered.


There have been a few terrible moments since I've been in Korea. They all involve food.
Enemy #1- baby octopus being cooked alive in front of you. See my "Don't Mess with Korea" post if you're interested. I don't even want to talk about it.
Enemy #2-tiny dried salty fish*. See my "What the hell did I just eat?" post if you're curious.


*I just googled the dried minnows since I don't have an actual picture. This is what showed up on the listing.

WTF?